CHAPTER 4: Kanda

Ever since the bathroom incident, Kanda became my friend. Kanda was plump and lively. We were bunkmates and classmates simultaneously. We called him Kanda because of his plumpness, with big lips that were always open. Despite his chubby appearance, Kanda would joke about himself first and retaliate against anyone who bantered with him. I knew I wanted him on my side in a fight.

We initially called him "Onu Kanda" before perfecting the nickname "Kanda". Boys made big jokes about his protruding stomach, and older students made jokes about how they could puncture him with a pin and he would deflate.

I liked him because, although he endured insults from senior students, he would never let a classmate make him feel insecure. He would always counterattack with his sharp tongue.

One could say countless things to Kanda to try to hurt his feelings, but he had a million comebacks ready each time, and his jabs were impressive.

When our first duty list came out, Kanda's morning duty was serving the auxiliary, along with another JS3 student. It was the most desirable duty a fresher could get; as it wasn't too demanding. The boys who worked in the seminarian's room got to eat their leftovers, iron their clothes with an electric iron, and have access to some provisions. Once in a while, Kanda would bring a packet of biscuits, and we would eat them together during siesta. Eating biscuits back then felt like a luxury.

He easily became my best friend because I benefited a lot from him. Some days, he would let me take food from his table if he would eat the auxiliary's food.